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A3401 Eleocharis elongata - Eleocharis equisetoides - Fuirena scirpoidea Interdunal Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This diverse alliance of graminoid marsh vegetation is dominated by graminoid species, including Andropogon brachystachyus, Carex hyalinolepis, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Eleocharis elongata, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Fuirena scirpoidea, Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis, Muhlenbergia filipes, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum tenerum, Paspalum vaginatum, and Rhynchospora spp. It occurs in southern coastal interdunal swales.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Slim Spikerush - Horsetail Spikerush - Southern Umbrella-sedge Interdunal Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Southern Interdunal Spikerush Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Dominant species in this diverse alliance of graminoid marsh vegetation include Andropogon brachystachyus, Carex hyalinolepis, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Eleocharis elongata, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Fuirena scirpoidea, Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis, Muhlenbergia filipes, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum tenerum, Paspalum vaginatum, and Rhynchospora spp. This alliance occurs in southern coastal interdunal swales. These sites are not subject to regular tides, but may be exposed to saltwater from storm surges and seasonal high tides.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This vegetation does not include coastal marshes dominated by Fimbristylis castanea, Schoenoplectus pungens, Spartina bakeri, or Typha domingensis which are included in other alliances of southern coastal interdunal swale vegetation.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation is dominated by graminoid herb species.

Floristics: This diverse alliance of marsh vegetation is dominated by various graminoids such as Andropogon brachystachyus, Carex hyalinolepis, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Eleocharis elongata, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Fuirena scirpoidea, Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis, Muhlenbergia filipes, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum tenerum, Paspalum vaginatum, and Rhynchospora spp. This vegetation does not include coastal marshes dominated by Fimbristylis castanea, Schoenoplectus pungens, Spartina bakeri, or Typha domingensis.

Dynamics:  This vegetation occurs in southern coastal interdunal swales. These sites are not subject to regular tides, but may be exposed to saltwater from storm surges and seasonal high tides. High wind and storm surges can alter the position of dunes and swales. These are dynamic landforms which change as part of natural coastal processes.
Environmental Description:  The vegetation of this alliance occurs in southern coastal interdune swales.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from Virginia to Florida, Alabama and Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, GA, LA?, MS?, NC, SC, TX, VA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D322 2.C.4.Ne
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Ne.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup M067 2.C.4.Ne.2
Group 2.C.4.Ne.2.c Marsh Fimbry - Spikerush species - Southern Umbrella-sedge Coastal Interdunal Marsh & Prairie Group G777 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A3401 Slim Spikerush - Horsetail Spikerush - Southern Umbrella-sedge Interdunal Marsh Alliance A3401 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004114 Seashore Crowngrass Marsh CEGL004114 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004125 Maritime Bearded Sprangletop - Slender Sea-purslane Marsh CEGL004125 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004235 Short-spike Bluestem - Southern Umbrella-sedge - Longleaf Three-awn Marsh CEGL004235 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004724 Shoreline Sedge Marsh CEGL004724 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004952 Southern Umbrella-sedge - Coastal Plain Umbrella-sedge - Southern Beaksedge - Spreading Beaksedge Marsh CEGL004952 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004954 (Water Toothleaf) / Bluejoint Panicgrass - Erectleaf Panicgrass Marsh CEGL004954 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004960 (Slim Spikerush, Horsetail Spikerush) - Tracy''s Beaksedge Marsh CEGL004960 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL004961 Slim Spikerush - Bluejoint Panicgrass - American White Water-lily Marsh CEGL004961 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL007716 Maidencane - (Swamp Sawgrass, Gulf Hairawn Muhly) Marsh CEGL007716 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Association CEGL007929 Squarestem Spikerush - Arrowhead species Marsh CEGL007929 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: C. Nordman

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.